Washing apparatus suitable for the treatment of paper pulp and for other purposes



W. A. R. M. M RAE WASHING APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAPERPULP AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Filed Nov. 10, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jmlinhfnunmr M05120 3 zrmmqak lilkrwgs:

4 1,520,588 W. A. R. M. M RAE WASHING APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR THETREATMENT OF PAPER PULP AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Fi led N v 10, 1923 4Sheets-Sheet 2 n nu PULP W. A R. M. M RAE WASHING APPARATUS SUITABLE FORTHE TREATMENT OF PAPER mm FOR OTHER PURPOSES Filed Nov 10, 192:.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 [mellow QEZZbrnfls.

I illz'am 'QEMMEQB W. A R. M. M RAE WASHING APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR THETREATMENT OF PAPER PULP AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Filed Nov. 10, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 4 lnlu Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WASHING APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAPER PULP AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

Application filed November 10, 1923. Serial No. 678,979.

To all whom it may cancer-n:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ARTHUR RANKEN MICHAEL MCRAE, a subject ofthe King of England, residing in London, England, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Vashing Apparatus Suitable for theTreatment of Paper Pulp and for Other Purposes, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention consists, in general, in improvements in or relating towashers for treatin a stream of liquid, which is flowing in or t ilrougha vessel and which contains materials in suspension, for the isolationand removal of certain materials substantially without removing anotheror others of them. In aparticular application of the invention thepresent improvements are applied to machines commonly known, amongstother terms, as rag-engines, potchers or breakers such as are used forbreaking-in or beating paper-making materials for the production ofpaper-pulp or half-stuff or for bleaching or otherwise treating suchmaterials.

According to the present invention a washer of the type and for thepurpose above described, is characterized byone or more riflies or ribsextending upwardly from the base of the washer to eifect collection inrear thereof, of material which will deposit by. gravity, and an openingin the base of the washer so disposedin relation to each riflle or ribthat the material which has so collected, or would so collect, will falltherethrough. Conveniently there is a sump be- The invention includes amethod of operating the washer above described, which consists inmaintainmg the aforesaid sump full of liquid during suchtimes as thematerial is passing thereinto through the openmg or openings aforesaid.

A partlcular form of the invention, as applied to a rag-engine or thelike having the usual knife-roll or agitating-vanes and drum-washer, ischaracterized by the combination of a drain grid in the base of theengine in rear of the drum-washer and movable vanes so formed and ofsuch dimensions as, in one extreme position, to extend between the gridspaces and project above the grid, whereby they substantially close thegrid spaces and constitute riflies above the surface of the grid and, inthe other extreme position, to be withdrawn below the grid to leave thesurface of the latter'unobstructed and the grid spaces open.

The grid is in rear of the drum-washer in the direction of travel of thematerial round the base or container of the engine.

According to a feature of the invention, there is provided, in addition,a sump beneath the grid and a discharge cock controlling the outlet fromthe said sump, means for moving the vanes into and out from theirpositions between the grid bars, and means operatively connecting saidvanes with said cock so that the latter is not opened until.

the vanes close the grid, and vice versa. Conveniently means may beprovided for admitting water to the sump to replace the bulk of waterand solid matter withdrawn. This admission may take place eithersimultaneously with, or subsequently to, the withdrawal of the water andsolids from the sump.

The invention will now be described, with the aid of the accompanyingdrawings, which are given as examples only of the application of theinvention and in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of thegeneral application of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan of a rag-engineor the like constructed according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in plan in Figure2;

Figure 4 1s an enlarged view, 1n section,

of a detail of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a detail of parts of the driving connection looking from theright of Figure 3 so as to show those parts in their relative positions;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of modified means for operatinginlet and outlet cocks for the sump in addition to means for operatingthe movable vanes; and v Figure 7 is a section on the line VII-VII ofFigure 6.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

' In Figure 1 the base of a channel 1 is represented at 2 as beingformedwith an o ening 3 in front of which, considered in t e directionof the flow of the fiuidstream indicated by the arrow, is an upstandingrib or riflle 4. Beneath the opening 3 is a sump 5 having an outlet atthe base through which material deposited in the sump is removed, forexample by a continuously rotating pocket-wheel or pocketed cylinder 6.A conduit 7 is provided for supplying liquid to replace the bulk ofliquid and solid material removed by the wheel or cylinder 6 and at thesame rate as such liquid and solid is withdrawn so as to prevent any ap-"preciable down-current of liquid into the sump 5. The supply of liquidthrough the conduit 7 passes into a trough or other receptacle 77 andthence is picked up by a pocket in the member 6 as the latter rotatesand is carried into the sump 5.

If, for example, material such as crushed or opened-up bamboo is beingwashed .with

' agitation in the vessel, diagrammatically represented by 1, it isfound that certain of the non-fibrous material, such as the parenchymaor pith, together with the material of the knots or nodes, if present,and cuticular substances, will become deposited in rear of the rib 4 andwill settle or fall into and down through the still water contained inthe sump 5, while the fibre which vention as illustrated in Figures 24,a rag-.

engine is illustrated of known construction in the form of acomparatively shallow and more or less oval vessel 10 having a mid-,

feather 11 disposed longitudinally therein, a knife-roll 12 and adrum-washer 13, the knife-roll and drum-washer being on o posite sidesof the mid-feather 11. The device illustrated in Figure 1 is notemployed in its exact form in the construction illustrated in Figures 2to 4. The corresponding parts, described in detail below, operate,however, to the same or an equivalent effect. In the base of the vessel10, immediately in rear of the drum-washer, is a grid formed with aseries of parallel rectangular slots 14 extending transversely to thedirection of the current of the" fluid passing round within the vessel10, the direction of flow being indicated by the arrow on the left ofFigure 2.

As will be seen moreclearly from Figures 3 and 4, aseries of vanes- 15is provided, one for each grid-space, and of such dimensions that eachwill slide freely within its appropriate grid-space and when within itwill substantially fill and close it. The vanes 15 are carried on asupporting frame, indicated generally at 16, common -to them all, andthe frame 16 is located within a sump 17 disposed beneath the grid andadapted to receive the material discharged therethrough as in the caseof the sump 5 of Figure 1.

The frame 16 is carried on vertical recip-- rocating plungers 18 whichpass through packed glands 19 extending downwardly from the base of thesump, there being one position the vanes will be removed beneath thegrid, leaving the grid-spaces open. The rock-shaft 21 has a rockinglever extending rearwardly in Figure 3 and terminating at its outer endin an abutment 22 to be engaged by a snail-cam or the like 23 which isoperated by any convenient connection from the main driving-gear. By theaction of the cam 23the plungers are periodically reciprocated so as toraise'the vanes between the grid-spaces, then to hold them there for acertain period of time, and thereafter to lower them to the positionbeneath the gridillustrated in Figure 4.

A drain-cock 24 controls the outlet from the sump 17 the plug of thecock being connected through the levers 25 and 26 and link 27 to therock-shaft 21. The connection of the cock-plug is such that thedraincock is not opened until the vanes 15 are raised into a position inwhich they close or substantially close the grid-spaces.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the drain- 7 diagrammatically illustrate amodified means for controllmg the inlet and outlet cocks from the sumpdi' rectly from the cam 23. In the diagram the cam 23 is shown as havingcam-grooves parallel with its cam-surface and in the cam-grooves arereceived two rollers one at the end of an operating-arm for thedraincock 24 and the other at the end of the operating-arm for theinlet-cock 43 controlling an inlet-conduit 42 which supplies liquid tothe sump. It will be now seen that the cam 23 operates the inlet andoutlet cocks similarly to, but lagging in phase behind, the operation ofthe rock-shaft 21. This lag is such that the cocks are not opened untilthe vanes have reached positions in which they close the grid-spacesbutthey are only opened for a comparatively short time suflicient, however,to permit removal of the liquids and solids from the sump 17.Conveniently the parts are so adjusted that the drain-cock opens as soonas the vanes have moved to a position in which they commence efiectivelyto close the grid-spaces by entering them and remains open until thevanes have reached their highest position. Shortly after this positionis reached the cocks are closed. Water is admitted through theinlet-cock at a sufficient rate to the upper end of the sump so as atall times to maintain the sump full of water.

The driving connections comprise a main shaft 30 on which is mounted theknife-roll 12 from which a belt-connection 31 effects the drive ofgearing 32 for the spindle 33 of the drum-washer 13, and another belt-vconnection 34 is made to a transverse shaft 35 which is convenientlygeared, for exam.- ple by worm and worm-wheel, to the spindle of the cam23.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows and .will be described inits a plication to the preliminary treatment of bamboo-fibres for theextraction of the parenchyma or pith and any foreign matter which may bepresent, from the "pecto-ligno-cellulose fibres.

The vessel 10 is furnished with the crushed or opened-up bamboo andwater and the knife-roll and drum-washer are set in operation but thebelt 34 is thrown on to the loose pulley so that the shaft 35 is notrotated.

The cam 23 is adjusted so that the upper edges of the vanes 15 are flushwith the surface of the grid. The drum-washer removes the dirty scum andif the knife-roll is set to the brush-out position in relation to thebed-plate beneath it, it will be found that at the end of from 15-20minutes the parenchyma or pith will'havebecome separated and reduced tosmall particles. The shaft 35 is then thrown into gear and the vanes 15are raised so as to project above thesurface of the grid and in theirhighest position extend thereabove approximately 1 inch but this heightwill vary according to circumstances and to material under treatment.Meanwhile the sump is full of water or is filled with water and it isfound that the material, in passing round the container 10, becomesballed up (so far as the fibres are concerned) and the ball-like massesroll, partly held in suspension, over the surface of the projecting ribsor riflles constituted by the vanes 15. In so doing the masses receive acertain amount of shaking and this tends to deposit or precipitate theparenchyma or pith together with the material of the knots or nodes, ifpresent, and cuticular substances which settle and collect in rear ofthe vanes 15. Taking a complete cycle of movement of the vanes, they areheld for approximately four-fifths of the cycle in their raisedposition, then the cam 23 operates to lower them rapidly duringapproximately one-twentieth of the cycle, to their extreme depressedposition, in which they are removed below the grid-spaces to open thelatter. At the same time, or preferably immediately the vanes hadreached their highest position, as with the arrangement shown in Figure5, the cook 24 is closed and the parenchyma or pith particles fallthrough the grid-spaces and settle in still water to the bottom of thesump 5. The period for which it is found necessary to retain the vanesin their lowermost position is approximately one-tenth of the period ofthe cycle, after which they ascend again rapidly during a period equalapproximately to onetwentieth of the cycle period. These figures areapproximate only and are used to illustrate the nature of the movementto be imparted to the vanes.

During the upward movement of the vanes the cock 24 is opened as soon asthe grid-spaces are closed or substantially closed and the collectedparenchyma or pith escapes from the sump. Provision is made, for examplethe conduit 42 diagrammatically shown in Figures 6 and 7 for runningfresh water into the sump either simultaneously with the removal of thewater and pith therefrom or, if desired, subsequently there to, byaltering the position of the cam-engaging wheel of the inlet-cockoperatinglever. The object of this is to refill the a the materials willsettle more rapidl or more readily than will some of the ot ers, thesettlement being assisted, as is well understood, .by the presence ofthe ribs or riflle constituted by the vanes such as 15.

It is obvious that in place of vertically reciprocating flat vanes,curved or segmental vanes could be employed operating from a rock-shaftor a series of rock-shafts. As

' a further alternative the grid spaces could be made comparatively wideand vaned wheels could be caried on spindles parallel with theslots. Thevanes would be of such length and width that in certain positions of thewheels they serve to close the slots.

The vaned wheels would take the place of the reciprocating vanesdescribed in detail above, and it will be understood that as they arerotated they serve to discharge the matter collected Within the gridspaces or on the grid above the spaces in a manner similar to thedischarge which is effected by the reciprocating'ivanes. Furtherrotation of the vanes would again serve to close the slots or gridspaces until it was again desired to discharge them. The vaned wheelscouldbe either rotated always in one direction or the could bereciprocated.

In amo ified form of the invention each grid-space may be partitionedofi by narrow transverse strengthening ties and the vane slotted to passthe ties.

Whether flat or curved vanes are employed, it is referred that theirupper surfaces should be chamfered so that they slope upwardly in thedirection of travel of the material past them. Similarly, the rear edgesof the grid-bars could also be chamfered so as to be parallel with thechamber of the edges of the vanes. This will materially assist in thequick discharge of the material which has collected behind the vanes.Alternatively, the lateral edges of the grid-bars could be oppositelychamfered or they could be parallel-sided and the upper edgesof thevanes can be flat-topped or wedge-shaped.

It will be understood that the ap aratus described and claimed hereincan he employed in processes for removing the pith,

cuticular and other non-fibrous material after boiling for example in amild alkali solution.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. A washer of the type and for the purpose described characterizedby one or more riflies or ribs extending upwardly from the base of thewasher to efi'ect collection in rear thereof of material which willdeposit by gravity, and an opening in the base of the washer so disposedin relation to each rifile or rib that the material which has socollected or would so collect will fall therethrough. 2. A-washer of thekind described having one-ormore movable rifiies or ribs extendingupwardly from the base of the washer to eifect collection. in rearthereof of material which will deposit by gravity, and an opening in thebase of the washer so disposed in relation to each riiile or rib thatthe material which has so collected or will so collect will falltherethrough and means to move the rifiies or ribs at will into and outfrom their upstanding position.

3. A washer of the kind described having one or more riffles or ribsextending upwardly from the base of the washer to effect collection inrear thereof of material which will deposit by gravity, an opening inthe base of the washer so disposed in relation to each rifiie or ribthat the material which has collected or will so collect will falltherethrough, and a vessel beneath said opening or openings soconstructed that it may be filled with liquid and thereby provide acolumn of still liquid extending from the opening or openings into thevessel from or from near the base of the washer for the purposedescribed.

4. A washer of the kind described having one or more. movable rifiles orribs extending upwardly from the base of the washer to eflect collectionin rear thereof of ma.- terial which will deposit by gravity, and anopening in the base of the washer so disposed in relation to each riflieor rib that the material which has so collected or will so collect willfall therethrough, means to move the riflies or ribs at will into andout from their upstanding position, and a vessel beneath said openingoropenings so constructed that it may be filled with liquid and therebyprovide a column of still liquid extending from the opening or openingsinto the vessel from .or from near the base of the washer, for thepurpose described.

5. A washer of the kind described having one or more riiiles or ribsextending upwardly from the base of the Washer to effect collection inrear thereof of material which will deposit by gravity, an opening inthe base ofthe washer so disposed in relation to each riflie or rib thatthe material which has collected or will so collect will falltherethrough, a vessel beneath said opening or openings so constructedthat it may be filled with liquid and thereby provide a column of stillliquid extending from the opening or openings into the vessel from orfrom near the base of the washer, means to maintain the vessel full ofstill liquid during such time as the material is passing thereinto throuh the said opening or openings.

6. K washer of the kind described having one or more movable rifles orribs extending upwardly from the base of the washer to eifect collectioninrear thereof of material which will deposit by gravity, and an opening in the base of the washer so disposed in relation to each rifle orrib that the material which has so collected or will so collect willfall therethrough, means to move the rifles or ribs at will into and outfrom their upstanding position, a vessel beneath said opening oropenings so constructed that 'it may be filled with liquid and therebyprovide a column of still liquid extending from the opening or openingsinto the vessel from or from near the base of the washer and means tomaintain the vessel full of still liquid during such time as thematerial is passingthereinto through the said opening or openings.

7. A rag-engine or potcher having the usual disintegrating knives oragitating vanes and drum-washer, characterized by the combination of adrain-grid in the base of the engine in rear of the drum-washer, andmovable vanes so formed and of such dimensions as, in one extremeposition, to extend between and to project above the grid whereby theysubstantially close the gridspaces and constitute rifles abovethe'surface of the grid and, in the other extreme.

position, to be withdrawn below the grid to leave the surface of thelatter unobstructed and the grid-spaces open.

8. A rag-engine or potcher according to claim 5 characterized inaddition by a sump beneath the grid, a discharge-cock controlling anoutlet from said sump, means for moving the vanes into and out fromtheir sitions between the grid-bars and means operatively connectingsaid vanes with said cock so "that the latter is not opened until thevanes close or substantially close the grid-spaces and vice versa, withor without a water-inletfor the sump and an inlet-cock controlledsimultaneously, or substantially rear of the drum washer, movable vanesso formed, and of such dimensions as, in one extreme position, to extendbetween the grid spaces and to project above the grid whereby theysubstantially close the grid spaces and constitute rifles above thesurface of the grid and, in the other extreme position, be withdrawnbelow the grid to leave the surface of the latter unobstructed and thegrid spaces open, a sum beneath the grid, a discharge cock contro ing anoutlet from said sump, means for moving the vanes into andout from theirpositions between the grid bars and means operatively connecting saidvanes with said cock so that the latter is not opened until the vanesclose or substantially close the grid spaces and vice versa.

10. A rag'engine or potcher having the usual disintegrating knives oragitating vanes and drum washer in combination with adrain grid in thebase of the engine in rear of the drum washer, movable vanes so formedand of such dimensions as, in one extreme position to extend between thegrid spaces and to project above the grid whereby they substantiallyclose the grid spaces and constitute rifles above the surface of thegrid, and in the other extreme position,-be withdrawn below the grid toleave the surface of the latter )unobstructed and the grid spaces open,a sump beneath the grid, a discharge cock controlling an outlet fromsaid sump, means for moving the vanes into and out from their positionsbetween the grid bars, means operatively connecting said vanes with saidcock so that the latter is not opened until the vanes close orsubstantially close the grid spaces and vice versa, and a water inletfor the sump and an inlet cock with means to control it simultaneouslyor sublitantially simultaneously with the outlet woe In testimonywhereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM-ARTHUR RARKEN MICHAEL McRAE.

